Page 131 of Meowy & Bright

I grab the remote and turn on one of my favorite holiday movies:The Family Stone. I think I love it so much because of how big and close the family is. I’m close to my mom and dad, but I was an only child. I love the idea of having a family as big as theirs. Hopefully one day it will be in the cards for me.

I snuggle into the quilt as the movie starts. I barely make it past the opening scene before sleep pulls me under.

15

CRANE

Itinker with the last set of lights, looping them along the back edge of the roof. Wrapping them all the way around seems like overkill, but that’s what Liza does, so that’s what I’ll do. I want her to be proud of my display. Which is nuts, of course. A month ago, I wouldn’t have been caught dead on a ladder putting up Christmas lights, but here I am. And not only that, I want the lights to be impressive.

Liza has done that to me. Made me into a different version of myself. But how much of it is the real me? I’m beginning to suspect the man I am when I’m with her–that’s the real me. She makes me better in ways I never imagined.

Clipping the end of the strand onto the edge of the gutter, I lean back and admire my handiwork. The whole house should be nice and bright, though it won’t take away from Liza’s house next door. Her lights are multicolored and extra festive. Mine are a warm white that will complement her house perfectly. At least that’s what I’m hoping for.

I climb down the ladder and stow it in the shed behind my house. Once I get to the front, I sort out the extension cords, then plug them in. The house lights up, sending a warm glow through the chilly air. I’ve been working at it all afternoon, so I’m pretty proud of myself.

My phone vibrates, which dampens my mood immediately. I know who it is before I answer.

“What?”

“Where is the dirt I ordered?” Mayor McGovern snaps. “You’ve been there plenty long enough to have what I’m after.”

“I already told you I’ve found absolutely nothing to indicate Snow Hills is cheating.” I sigh. I’m getting tired of this blowhard.

“You need to keep digging.”

“I am. I’ve spoken with half the town, and no one even knows who’s on the Spirit of the Season committee.”

“That’s bullshit!”

I grit my teeth. “I think you need to accept that you’re beaten, Mayor. The past three years, you’ve lost fair and square. There’s no evidence of anything underhanded going on here. If there was, I would’ve sniffed it out. Like knows like, after all.”

He bellows something unintelligible, and then I hear the sound of something crashing.

I don’t know if the easy money is worth his bullshit anymore. It’s not like I’m hurting for cash. I just always like to have more of it. But this asshole is wearing me out with his tantrums.

“Calm the fuck down.” I stomp up to my porch and sit down as one of the townspeople drives by and waves. I wave back.

“I’m calm!” He huffs and puffs a few times, then clears his throat. “I’m calm.”

“I did the job. I didn’t find any dirt. I expect the rest of my payment wired into my account by the morning.”

“Wait!”

“Mayor, I don’t want to go into detail about what will happen if you don’t come through on your end of the deal.”

“I’ll send you the money,” he says quickly. “But I’ll pay double if you do one more thing for me.”

That perks me up. I was already overcharging this bozo. Double would be a king’s ransom. “What thing?”

“You’re part of the town now, right? They trust you. That means you’re in the perfect position to do a little work to ensure Winter Heights takes home the trophy this year.”

I narrow my eyes. “What kind of work?”

“Nothing big, of course. Nothing that would draw attention. But I hear they’re putting on some sort of a bachelorette auction in a few days. They want to donate the money they raise to charity to make themselves look like they give a damn about anything other than winning the cup, though of course I know it’s all a sham.”

“Of course.” I roll my eyes.

“All you need to do is take the money they raise.”

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